System, method and network device for streaming data from a network

Abstract

A system, method and a network device for streaming data from a network are provided. A network device includes a software application for streaming network data. The application sets a ratio of local versus network content to a value. The application scans the network device's local media library metadata for local content and submits the metadata to the network server, wherein the server uses the metadata to identify and classify local content and create an integrated playlist using local and network content that is communicated to the network device, which starts content playback. In the event of no network connectivity, the content playback may be based entirely on locally stored content. The selection of local or network content is based on a randomly generated value and a set ratio of local to network content.

1 . A network device for streaming data from a network, the network device comprising: a processor, wherein the processor is operable to:
 set a ratio of local content versus network content;   scan the network device for a local media metadata;   submit the local media metadata to a network server;   receive an integrated playlist created by the network server based on the local media metadata and network content;   use the integrated playlist to play content; and   select next content track based on a randomly generated parameter and the ratio of local content versus network content.   
     
     
         2 . The network device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further operable to detect network conditions and switch to local content as conditions require. 
     
     
         3 . The network device of  claim 1 , wherein the device is selected from the group consisting of a smartphone, a tablet and a personal computer. 
     
     
         4 . The network device of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated playlist is based on metadata from more than one network server. 
     
     
         5 . A system for streaming data from a network server to a network device, the system comprising at least one network device with access to computer-readable medium and at least one network server with access to computer-readable medium, the network device computer-readable medium comprising:
 at least one instruction for streaming data from a network;   at least one instruction for setting a ratio of local content versus network content to a decimal value of between two numbers;   at least one instruction for scanning a network device for a local media metadata;   at least one instruction for submitting the local media metadata to a network server;   at least one instruction for receiving an integrated playlist information from the network server;   at least one instruction for playing content based on the integrated playlist by selecting a next content track based on a randomly generated parameter and the ratio of local content versus network content;   the network server computer-readable medium comprising:   at least one instruction to read the local media metadata;   at least one instruction for creating an integrated playlist based on the local media metadata and network content; and   at least one instruction for transmitting the integrated playlist to the network device.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein network device computer-readable medium detects network conditions and switches the network device to local content as conditions require. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the network device is selected from the group consisting of a smartphone, a tablet and a personal computer. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the integrated playlist is based on metadata from more than one network server. 
     
     
         9 . A method for streaming music from a network server to a network device, the method comprising:
 activating a music streaming software application on a network device;   scanning a local media library accessible to the network device to identify a local content media metadata;   submitting the local content media metadata to a first network server accessible to the network device;   reading and parsing the local content media metadata file by the first network server;   matching artists from the local content media metadata file to a cached database found on the first network server;   creating and displaying channel recommendations on the network device on basis of the local content media metadata;   setting a recommended channel based on the local content media metadata on the network device;   setting a ratio of local content versus network content to a value on the network device thereby creating a playlist on the network device; and   starting content playback on the network device based on the ratio of local content versus network content.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 matching artists from the local content media metadata file against a database found on a second network server;   updating the network server database with the media metadata from the second network server;   retrieving music metadata for matched artists and generating artists file on the network server;   communicating the artists file to the network device;   creating and displaying channel recommendations on the network device based on the artists file from the network server;   setting a recommended channel based on the artists file on the network device; and   starting content playback on the network device based on the ratio of local content versus network content.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein matching artists from the local content media metadata file is done against a cached database located on a plurality of network servers. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising detecting network conditions and switching to local content as conditions require. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the network device is selected from the group consisting of a smartphone, a tablet and a personal computer. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the playlist is based on metadata from more than one network server. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising communicating between various network devices. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the detected network conditions comprise determining the bandwidth available to the network device. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the detected network conditions comprise determining whether the network device is on a cellular network other than the network device's home network. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 9  wherein a decision to switch to local content is performed on basis of preference setting of the network device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 14  wherein an additional network server is queried when the initial network server is not able to identify the music on the network device. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 15  wherein communication between various network devices comprises exchanging playlists and network parameters.